Multi-Link Communication with Non-Millimeter-Wave Backup

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Solution Overview

Problem

Communication in millimeter wave bands is prone to easy interruption due to strong directivity of radio waves, which can be addressed by establishing a communication link in a frequency band different from the millimeter wave band during Multi-Link communication.

Innovation Solution

A communication apparatus that establishes links on a plurality of different frequency channels, including at least one channel in a frequency band different from the millimeter wave band, to ensure continuous communication even in environments where millimeter wave communication is interrupted.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If communication is performed using only millimeter wave band links, then high throughput can be achieved, but communication is easily interrupted due to strong directivity of radio waves

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication throughputVSAvoidcommunication continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the frequency band parameter by establishing communication links across multiple frequency bands (millimeter wave band and non-millimeter wave band) rather than relying on a single band. This allows the system to switch between different frequency bands dynamically, maintaining high throughput when millimeter wave links are available while ensuring communication continuity by falling back to non-millimeter wave bands when interruptions occur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If links are established on multiple frequency channels in millimeter wave band only, then throughput is maximized, but communication reliability decreases due to easy interruption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication throughputVSAvoidcommunication stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the communication system into multiple independent links operating on different frequency channels across different frequency bands. Instead of relying on a single millimeter wave link, the system establishes multiple links including both millimeter wave band links and non-millimeter wave band links, allowing selective use of available links to maintain both throughput and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite communication system that combines links from different frequency bands (millimeter wave and non-millimeter wave) into a unified communication architecture. This composite approach allows the system to leverage the high throughput capability of millimeter wave links while incorporating the reliability of non-millimeter wave links, achieving both objectives simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Productivity

If Multi-Link communication is established using only millimeter wave band channels, then bandwidth utilization is optimized, but vulnerability to communication interruption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebandwidth utilizationVSAvoidcommunication interruption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent prepares for potential communication interruptions by establishing backup links in non-millimeter wave bands before interruptions occur. When a millimeter wave link is interrupted, the system can immediately switch to the pre-established non-millimeter wave link without significant delay, cushioning the impact of the interruption and maintaining communication continuity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentEP4622385A1Communication device, control method, and program
Publication Date: 2025.09.24 CANON KK
  • EP4622385A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4622385A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4622385A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

When establishing links on a plurality of different frequency channels with another communication apparatus on the basis of a connection request received from the another communication apparatus, the communication apparatus performs control not to establish links on a plurality of different frequency channels based on the connection request when links to be established, which are identified at least on the basis of information included in the connection request, are only links on frequency channels in a millimeter wave band.